International Writing Retreat

Lisbon Writing - 3rd edition

Óbidos, Portugal

7 - 12, September 2025

Connect with fellow writers and find your inspiration in the captivating medieval town of Óbidos. Just a short trip from Lisbon, this haven for book lovers boasts charming streets, colourful houses, and blooming flowers. And don't forget to sample its very own "ginginha”, the local cherry liqueur! Less than half an hour away you'll find golden beaches and the famous Nazaré canyon, a surfers' delight.

A perfect setting for our writing retreat where you can renew your creative energy and nurture your writing in a supportive group.

This 6-day retreat offers you the chance to explore one of the gems of Portugal while attending 21 hours of writing workshops.

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👉 JOIN OUR FIRST ZOOM Q & A

⏰ Saturday, April 5th, 5:00 pm Lisbon Time

To receive the link, sign up at lisbonwriting@escreverescrever.com

Spaces - We make spaces and spaces make us.

A 6-Day International Writing Retreat in Óbidos to develop your own work-in-progress or start a new project.

Programme

In this 6-day retreat, we will look for a sense of place in our narratives, getting to know the cobbles below and the Portuguese sky above. We will have time to dive deep into our own writing and into that of others, as well as thinking about the role of space in our writing. In addition to this, writing in a different place will inevitably do interesting things to our words and ways of thinking.

During our time together we will look at the layers of life we are part of, not only as a source of inspiration but also as an exploration of identity and a catalyst for conflict and emotions. How the places we inhabit or breeze through might help fuel our imagination through movement and stillness, through focused writing work together.

Participants have the option to continue working on an existing work-in-progress or to embark on a new project from scratch, guided by structured writing sessions. Each session introduces a new topic or theme, accompanied by excerpts of relevant literature from Portugal and around the globe. Additionally, there will be dedicated time for shorter projects, chance encounters and serendipitous insights in the picturesque setting of Óbidos.

6-Day Writing Retreat in detail

All information about the 6-day international writing retreat in Óbidos.

Your Guides

The dream team at the helm of the expedition.

Conceição Garcia (São)

Escrever Escrever CEO

CEO and founder of Escrever Escrever. President of FNAC's literary contest.

Passionate about writing, the city of Lisbon and teaching storytelling.

I am fond of gathering with people around a table: to write, to talk, to share a special meal or a good bottle of wine.
Martin Cathcart Frödén

Writer, Creative Writing Teacher

Martin holds a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Glasgow and is currently a senior lecturer and director of studies at Malmö University, Sweden. Before turning to academia, he worked as a sound engineer, an avocado picker, a prison teacher and a greengrocer – always alongside writing. He is often found enjoying bikes, kayaks and carbs. He currently lives in Malmö, Sweden, with his wife and three kiddos.
Escrever Escrever

Hosting Organization

Located in the very heart of Lisbon's historic centre, Escrever Escrever has been welcoming writers since 2008. In a room with a view on the Tejo river, here we write.

We are a long-standing member of the European Association of Creative Writing Programmes.

With more than 1.200 students per year, several of them have been published.